With a population of nearly 150000 inhabitants, Punta Arenas is the largest city in Southern Patagonia. The city is located on the northern coast of the Strait of Magellan, 3090km to the South of Santiago, capital of Chile. Across the Strait of Magellan to the South lies the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. While to the North we find the town of Puerto Natales, village which is the base for visiting the Torres del Paine National Park. Among the places to visit and see in Punta Arenas the Salesian Museum, located at the corner of Bhories and Sarmiento. This museum, is without a doubt one of the best in Patagonia to see exhibits on indigenous culture, which highlights the unique canoe built by marine nomads Alacalufes which survives until today day. In addition, it presents important exhibitions about the wildlife of the area. Another interesting place to visit is the Institute of Patagonia.

The Institute has a Museum in the open air and a library focused on Patagonian wildlife, geography and history. There are also two spectacular viewpoints over the surrounding hills to Punta Arenas, with stunning views of the city and the Strait of Magellan. An unmissable excursion is a visit to two major Penguin colonies that lie near the city. Magdalena island and Seno Otway. The excursion lasts half a day and it can see these likeable birds in their natural habitat while they nest. In addition, near Punta Arenas there are other important nature reserves where you can see the local flora and fauna.

In the Magallanes national reserve, for example, we find Coihues and lenga trees, forests as well as the culpeo foxes and grey, pumas and condors. Another place that stands out is the maritime Francisco Coloane Park, which has the privilege of being the first marine protected area in Chile. These are some of the tourist attractions in Punta Arenas. Attractions that will definitely make it worth the trip worthwhile to this distant place of the Chilean Patagonia.